Packing keeper



April 4, 1950 J. P. MORRIS 2,503,122

PACKING KEEPER Filed DeC. 27, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l April 4, 1950 J. P. MORRIS 2,503,122

PACKING KEEPER Filed D90. 27, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z//L {L//m/ v/./ 23 jf 33 i @www April 4, 1950 l J. P. MORRIS 2,503,122

PACKING KEEPER Filed DGO. 27. 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Apr. 4, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,503,122 PACKING KYEEPER John Paul Morris, Hinsdale, lll. Application December 27, 1948, Serial No. 67,433 13 claims. (ci. sos-89) The present invention relates to packing keepers, and is particularly concerned with the provision of improved packing keepers for holding the packing in a railway journal box in such manner that there is a minimum amount of pressure placed on the packing, but the packing is positively prevented from moving out of its intended position.

The packings of the prior art have been made of steel wire and have not had positive engagement with opposite points of the journal box in such manner that they were positively secured in place. On the contrary, the packing springs with which I am familiar in the prior art engaged the wedge or the journal box at the top of the packing, against which they reacted, and the packing sometimes gets out of place thus permitting the packing spring to move.

When a packing spring. constructed according to the prior art engages the journal it scores the axle, and one of the objects of the present invention is the provision of lan improved packing keeper comprising, a spring-tempered brass wire which positively engages and reacts against parts of the journal box; and does not depend upon its engagement with the packing to keep the spring in place and which may engage the journal or axle without scoring the axle, because it is made of metal which is suitable for bearing engagement with the axle.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved packing keeper which is provided with a four-point contact with the top and the bottom of the journal box, so that the packing keeper is positively secured in place by its engagement with the journal box, and instead of resiliently reacting against the packing the present packing keeper is merely located in positionto keep the packing from moving out of place.

Another object of the invention is the provision of another improved form of the packing keeper which is provided with a six-point contact between the packing keeper spring and the journal box, so that the packing keeper spring is positively anchored in place by its engagement with the jzurnal box.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved packing keeper which is adapted to refist the upward movement or the rolling or the seizure of the packing by the journal, which is adapted to be manufactured economically, which holds the packing in -such position that there is room for a supply of lubricant at the outer end of the journal box, and which is adapted to be used 2 for a long period 'of time without necessity for repair or replacement.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, of which there are three sheets, accompanying the speciilcation,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken on a plane passing through the axis of the journal showing the journal box and its parts in section, and with the packing keeper embodying the present invention in side elevation;

^ Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the plane of the line 2-2, of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the line 3 3, of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the plane of the line 4-4, of Figure 1, showing the inside of the top of the journal box and the points of engagement oi' the packing keeper with this part of the journal box;

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective showing the packing keeper spring of Figure 1;

Fig. 6 is another view in perspective showing a packing keeper spring of a modified construction, having a six-point contact with the inside of the journal box;

Fig. '7 is a view in perspective of another modification in which the packing keeper is provided with horizontally extending plates for engaging the packing at the top of the packing on each side of the journal; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the stops with which the hinge of Figure 6 is preferably provided for preventing the upwardly extending end portions of the packing keeper of Figure 6 from having pivotal movement beyond a predetermined range.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, i0 indicates the journal box of a railway car, II the journal, i2 the bearing and i3 the wedge, The journal box I0 is provided with any suitable type of packing I4, which engages the bottom of the box and extends up into engagement with the bottom of the journal and with the sides of the journal to a predetermined point.

I'he packing I4 preferably terminates adjacent the end of the journal, leaving an open space i5 which serves as a well for excess lubricant, the free level cf which is indicated at I6. The packing keeper spring embodying the invention is indi- 3 cated in itsentirety by the numeral I1, and this packing keeper spring is shown in perspective in Figure 4. It is preferably constructed of tempered spring brass wire of suitable size, as shown, and shape in the following manner:

The packing keeper is preferably made all of one piece of wire and preferably has a pair of horizontally extending legs Il, I9, which are formed by having the wire double back upon itself to provide the two horizontal parallel portions 20, 2|, 22 and 23 which engage the top of the packing on both sides of the journal I I.

In order to secure 'the packing positively in place the packing keeper I1 is provided at its forward or left end in Figure 4 with a pair of vertically extending leg portions 24, 25. These vertically extending portions are bent inwardly slightly at 26, so as tobring the outwardly curved end portions 21 in beyond the end of the journal, in position to engage the upper corners of the journal box.

At its forward upper corners the inside of the journal box is usually provided with two angular depending lugs 28. These lugs 28 have a short transversely extending flange 29 and a short axially extending flange 30 at right angles to each other, and the end portions 21 of the vertical legs 24, 25 may be engaged behind the lug portions 29 and inside the lug portions 30.

The keeper I1 is also preferably provided with a pair of diagonally upwardly extending rear legs 3|, 32, and these are so located that the ends 33, 34 of these U-shaped portions engage the rear outer corners of the inside of the top of the journal box. Thus the packing keeper has four points of engagement with the top of the journal box,

and at each of these points of engagement there are inwardly facing portions of the journal box to confine the upwardly extending keeper portions 24, 25, 3|, 32 against spreading laterally and against spreading axially.

In order to retain these vertical portions of the packing keeper in place, the horizontal legs I3 and |9 of the keeper are given an initial lateral spread or tension, that is, they are not initially parallel but the end portions 33 and 34 are more widely spaced in their initial condition, and must be pressed together to be placed inside the journal box where they tend to spread into the upper corners of the journal box.

In the same way the distance between the extreme ends 35 of the vertical legs 24, 25 and the rear ends 33, 34, is made greater than the space into which these parts are compressed when the keeper is in the journal box. The vertical legs 24, 25 are sprung forwardly or toward the left. and must be compressed toward the right to get them into the position of Figure 1 in the journal box, where the ends 35 also tend to spread laterally and toward the left to be retained in the upper front corners of the journal box, as defined by the angular lugs 26.

Thus the packing keeper I1 has four upper points of support and it need not be tensioned against the packing I4, but it is merely located in engagement with the top of the packing to keep the packing from moving. The packing keeper exerts very little force against the packing, except that when the packing moves then the keeper prevents this movement positively.

The journal Il usually has a head flange 36 at its end, and it is for this reason that the horizontal legs I8 and I9 are preferably made narrower where they pass the head ilange 36. The horizontal legs I3 and I9 are preferably made L4 wider where they engage the packing on each side of the journal and, therefore, the packing retainer spring is preferably bent as follows:

There is a substantial right-angle bend at 31 and at 38, at the lower end of the vertical portions 25. From these right-angle bends 31, 38 there is a pair of axially extending straight portions 39, 40, which extend past the head flange 36 of the journal without enga-ging the journal.

Inwardly of the head flange 36, the wire is preferably provided with right-angle bends at 4|, 42. and there are two other right angle bends 43, I4 bringing the longitudinally extending portions 2 I, 22 close to the journal without touching the Journal.

At the inner end of the horizontal portions 2| 22 there are obtuse angular bends 45, 46, and the wire then extends diagonally and upwardly to the yokes 33, 34 which engage the rear or inner corners of the journal box. The U-shaped portions 3I, 32 are each formed by a pair of legs 41, 46 and 49, 50, and the outer diagonal legs 41 and 50an'd obtuse angular bends 5|, 52 at their lower ends.

From the obtuse angular bends 6I, 52 the wire leg portions 20 and 23 extend outwardly substantially parallel to the journal and parallel to the portions 2|, 22. The horizontal portions 2|! and 23 may engage the inside of the side walls 53, 54 of the journal box, and the portions 20 and 23 come into substantial alignment with the horizontal straight portions 39 and 40.

In order to keep the leg portions from spreading at this point, metal clips 55 and 56 are preferably provided for securing the portion 39 to the portion 2n, and the portion 40 to the wire portion 23. These clips may consist of short straps of sheet metal bent to surround the two adjacent wire portions when they are engaging each other with the ends of the strap substantially in abutment with each other.

Various types of securing clips may be employed, and in some embodiments of the invention tie wires may be wrapped around the leg portions to perform the functions of the clips 55, 56. Just beyond the clips 55, 56, the wire portions I8 and 23 are provided with downward right-angular bends 51, 58. Ihese right angular downward bends are located inwardly of the head flange 36 of the journal, and the downwardly extending wire portions 59 and 60 may be joined by a lower curved portion BI, having a partially circular curvature.

This partially circular curved portion 6| preferably extend below the head flange 36 and the journal, and engages the end of the packing to hold it under the journal. The right angular bends 51, 58 are preferably so located that no part of the wire engages the journal, but the wire portions are all so located and held by engagement with the journal box so that they hold the packing without rubbing on the journal.

There are occasions, however, when the car is going about a curve during which the journal will be disposed at an angle to the axis of the railway car. While the journal is so tilted it is possible that the axle may come over and hit the front corner of the journal box, and it may engage the packing keeper but the present packing keeper will not score the journal because it is made out of a type of bearing metal:

Referring to Figure 6, this is a modification which has all of the features o'f construction just described with regard to Figures 1 to 5, but the 5 packing keeper spring of Figure 6 is so constructed that it has a six-point engagement with the journal box.

At the right-angle bends 51 and 58, the keeper spring has the downwardly extending short straight portions 62, 63. At the lower ends of these short portions there are obtuse bends 64, 85. From the obtuse bends 64, 65 there are the downwardly extending diagonal portions 66, 61, which slope toward each other, and these are longer than the curved portions 59, 68, previously described.

'I'he diagonal portions 66, 81 are of sufllcient length so that the lower corners or bends 68, 69 actually hit the bottom of the journal box -at this point when the upper legs of the packing keeper are engaged in the four upper corners of the' journal box. Thus the modication of Figure 6 is in positive engagement with the top and the bottom of the journal box at the outer end of the journal, and with the top of the journal box at the inner end of the journal box.

At the lower corners or angular bends 68, 69, the wire has two upwardly extending diagonal portions 10 and 1| joined at the bend 12. The i plished by the curved portion 6| of the previously described packing keeper spring.

Instead of having the vertically extending legs 24, of the keeper spring end at the forwardly extending ends 35, these vertical portions 24, 25 may be given a more pronounced forwardly curved portion 13 and 14. Thereafter the extreme end ,portions may be bent at right angles 15 and 16 outwardly away from each other, leaving the securing ends 11 and 18 extending outwardly in opposite directions.

I'he more pronounced curvature 13, 14 is' made for the purpose of bringing the securing ends 11 and 18 farther out along the sides 53, 54 of the journal. These side walls 53, 54 may then be provided with drilled holes, such as the holes shown'at 19 and 80, in Figure 2. Any of the various modifications of springs described herein may be provided with the outwardly turned securing ends 11, 18. These have the advantage of a more positive securement of the vertical leg portions 24, 25, but they also have the disadvantage that the journal box walls must be drilled to provide the sockets 19, 80. l

Referring now to Figures '1 and 8, these show a modication in which the horizontal legs of the spring keeper are formed by flat metal plates,

actly as previously described, and the depending portions 62-12 may also be as described in regard to Figure 6.

At the right-angle bends 31, 38 the packing keeper is provided with horizontal wire portions 8|, 82, which extend inwardly for securement to a pair of flat metal plates 83, 84. At 85 the horizontal portions 8|, 82 are bent sharply back upon themselves and provided with straight outwardly extending portions 88, 81, located in the same horizontal plane and joined to the depending portions at the downward bends 51, 58.

The horizontal portions 88. 81 are shorter than the horizontal portions 8|, 82, thereby locating the depending part of the packing retainer inwardly of the head ilange 86 on the journal. A pair of rivets 88 may be used to secure the wire portions 8|, 86 and 82, 81 to the plates 88, 8.4, respectively.

At their inner ends the plates 88, 84 are formed witha partially cylindrical portionl 89 to provide a hinge for hingedly supporting the diagonally extending plates 98, 9|. These diagonal plates 98, 9| correspond to the upwardly extending legs 3|, 32, and are also formed'wlth partially cylindrical portions 92 to provide hinges.

The partially cylindrical portions 89 and 92 are mounted on a pintle 93, therebyhinging the flanges 98, 9|, but the hinges are preferably provided with stops. For example, the hinge portion 89 has one or more shoulders 94 extending axially from the cylindrical portion 89, for engagement with the plates 98, 9| to prevent their pivoting in a counterclockwise direction beyond the dotted lines position shown in Figure 8. l

The straight portion of the plates 83, 84 terminates at a transverse shoulder 95 at each end of the cylindrical portion 89, and the diagonal plates 90, 9| are provided with an axially extending shoulder 96 for engaging the shoulder 95 'to prevent clockwise pivotal movement beyond the right-hand dotted line position shown.

It should, of course, be understood that in addition yto these shoulders 94, 95, 96, each plate 83, 84, 90 and 9| has the cylindrical portions 89 position A of Figure 8,the ends 98 slide upward on the back of the journal box until the plates 90, 9| assume the position B, Figure 8. Thereafter it is necessary to press the vertical portions 24, 25 backward still farther before the laterally turned ends 11, 18 can be moved into the holes 19, 80. y

In other embodiments of this type the ends 35 must be pushed back until they are located behind the flanges 29 of Figure 4. In this embodiment there is a four-point engagement with the journal box at the top, and a two-point engagement at 68, 69 with the journal box at the bottom.

The packing keeper is positively retained in fixed position in the journal box and the upper horizontal surfaces of the packing along the journal are held against movement by the plates 83,

84. All of this packing keeper may again be made out of spring tempered brass, which will not score the journal if they should happen to contact the journal, as may occur when the car -4 is going around a sharp curve.

It will thus be observed that I have invented a plurality of improved forms of packing keeper, and that one of the more important features of these devices is that the packing keeper is posiing against movement and at the same time 7 maintains the packing at the same horizontal level and maintains it against spreading out beyond the end of the journal. where there is a well for excess lubricant.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit ot the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States. is:

1. A packing keeper for waste packed railway journal boxes, comprising a resilient member having four upwardly extending legs, each leg including a free upper end for engaging the roof of the journal box at the four corners of the roof on the inside. a pair of horizontally extending packing engaging portions carried by said legs for overlying the packing on both sides of the journal, the length of the legs being such that the said horizontal portions will be located above the packing when the legs engage said roof to prevent the packing from moving upward on either side of the journal and a cross piece connecting said portions and holding said portions in spaced relation suiilcient to clear a journal in said box.

2. A packing keeper as deilned in claim 1 in which the cross piece extends downwardly below said portions for preventing movement of the packing toward the front of the box.

3. A packing keeper as defined in claim 2 in which said cross piece extends below said portions suiilciently for engagement with the bottom of the box.

A packing keeper for railway journal boxes, said keeper being formed of resilient wire, and having a pair of connected horizontal packing coverage portions, each of which carries a front and a rear upwardly extending leg, each having a free upper end, the front legs being spaced for engagement with the side walls of the journal box, and being of suflicient length for the free upper ends of said legs to engage the roof of a journal box, at the front and rear thereof when the horizontal portions are located to engage the packing on both sides of the journal.

5. A packing keeper as defined in claim 4 in which the packing coverage portions are connected by a depending portion which extends downwardly for engagement with the bottom of the box.

6. A packing keeper as dened in claim 4 in which each horizontal portion and rear leg is formed of substantially parallel inner and outer wire portions joined together at the upper end of the leg.

7. A packing keeper as deilned in claim 6 in which each inner wire portion has an outward offset adjacent the journal collar and each front leg comprises an extension of one of said wire portions.

8. A packing keeper as dened in claim 7 in which extensions of the others of said wire portions are connected to form a depending portion which extends downward for engagement with the bottom of the box.

9. A resilient packing keeper for waste packed railway journal boxes having downwardly projecting shoulders at the front and rear of the roof. said keeper comprising a pair of interconnected spaced members adapted to overlie the waste on both sides of the journal, a leg extending upward from each end of each member having a free end for engaging the roof of the journal box, the front legs and the rear legs being spaced apart throughout their lengths by an amount greater than the diameter of the journal, the distance between the legs on each member being greater than the distance between said shoulders whereby said legs are to resiliently engage the shoulders and hold said members in position.

l0. A'packing keeper as defined in claim 9 in which said members are interconnected by a brace connecting said members adjacent the front ends thereof and extending downward for engagement with the bottom of said journal box.

11. A packing keeper as defined in claim 10 in which the brace connects said members between the front and rear legs for engaging the bottom of the journal box between the points of contact of said legs with the roof.

12. In combination with a journal box having a top, bottom and side walls, and downwardly projecting inwardly facing shoulders at the inner and. outer ends of said top wall, a packing keeper having two spaced portions for extending over packing on each side of the journal, four upwardly extending legs engaging corners formed by said shoulders and said roof, and a brace connecting said portions and holding said portions in spaced relation adjacent the side walls of said journal box.

13. The combination defined in claim 12 in which the brace engages the bottom of said journal box.

JOHN PAUL MORRIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,357,233 Sohaney Aug. 29, 1944 2,432,243 Lewis Dec. 9, 1947 2,460,031 Ripley Jan. 25, 1949 

